Bagger Brace vs. 2009
Bagger Brace vs. 2009
Got a guy that made me an interesting offer for my bike. He has a 2007 EG that will be involved in the deal and I'm concerned about the handling differences from my 09 SG. The Bagger Brace has been around a little bit and didn't know if there was someone out there who has driven both, a tourer with a bagger brace and an 09 tourer.
Anyone done this?
Anyone done this?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
You know, the handling that makes the 09 worth it for me is how it handles on rain grooves, steel grate surfaces like crossing a bridge or uneven road surfaces that you see during road construction. I used to add five miles to my ride to work just to skip those parts of our highways because my 02 was so squirrelly. My 09 SG doesn't feel different from one surface to the next. I am told that the improvement on those surfaces is a result of the improved 09 tires, not the frame. I don't know, but I'm sold on the 09 mainly for that reason.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
No, I never felt the problem some folks complain about with bike going unstable, but then I don't push very hard in turns at higher speeds. I probably should have changed the tires to try and fixed my problem on rain grooves, but I was also wanting ABS.
Have you rode the 07? If it handles well, it might be worth it for you.
Beary
Have you rode the 07? If it handles well, it might be worth it for you.
Beary
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
Does his bike already have a Bagger Brace, or are you thinking about getting one? Any of the stabilizers will stop the rear steer problem & make the bike a good touring platform. I have a TWR on my '07 RG, & there's no problem with stability. That being said, I've ridden '09's & there's more than just the stability to be considered. Probably the best thing you could do is test ride his. It'll be a tough decision if it handles well.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 3,001
From: Charleston, SC
I have an 07 SG with a Progressive Suspension brace/link thing and an 09 Ultra. The brace on the 07 made quite a bit of difference but the tires I put on (Dunlop E3s) made much more. All in all the 07 is now pretty close to the 09 in handling.
The 09 beats the 07 in range, vibration, braking, and everything else though....
lp
The 09 beats the 07 in range, vibration, braking, and everything else though....
lp
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
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His bike does not have a brace. Rode an '06 the other day and it changed groves on me mid turn. Didn't like that very much.
The '09 have SO many changes from '07 that I'm trying to figure out if the brace would fix the biggest of the problems. It also needs a back tire that is part of the deal. I've always used Metzler ME880. Is that pretty much the best?
The '09 have SO many changes from '07 that I'm trying to figure out if the brace would fix the biggest of the problems. It also needs a back tire that is part of the deal. I've always used Metzler ME880. Is that pretty much the best?
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Assuming you’re not a troll for the Motor Company; my 08 SG has a brace and it does a good job of getting rid of the instability the bike exhibited prior to the brace until 50+ % of the tire tread is gone. At that point the wobble starts coming back.
The 09 I rode a couple of weeks ago is a big improvement over my 08 even with fresh tires on the 08. It would be interesting to see if the stability remains as the tire wears but my overall impression is I wouldn’t go back. Indeed, I told the salesman to call as soon as he knows what colors the 2010’s will be. If the SG comes in White I will buy one.
The 09 I rode a couple of weeks ago is a big improvement over my 08 even with fresh tires on the 08. It would be interesting to see if the stability remains as the tire wears but my overall impression is I wouldn’t go back. Indeed, I told the salesman to call as soon as he knows what colors the 2010’s will be. If the SG comes in White I will buy one.